If you’re anything like me, the ongoing news of the refugee crisis in the Middle East has you feeling more than a little bit overwhelmed. Where do I even begin to respond? I want to save the world (commence pat on back), but know that my efforts are trivial in the face of such immense tragedy and complex global unrest. I’m stuck.

We humans - and for me this occurs from motivations as a Christian - have grandiose visions of making all the world’s the hurt and pain go away. But if we can’t, well, our response, while maybe not spoken out loud, is this: “Why bother?” As the poet laments, “Meaningless, meaningless” is our reaction as we imagine any effort to make the world a better place will go nowhere. We can say the right things (or share the right Facebook post), but still have the nagging helplessness about the whole situation. “Boy, their suffering sure is hard for me.”

I had a similar initial response upon learning about Canada’s Aboriginal history - helplessness. But like then, I realize I need a reality check. We need to get over our discomfort with feeling helpless. While we squirm thinking about people - kids no less! - drowning in the Mediterranean or people dying in the squalor of refugee camps, people literally are drowning and dying. We unknowingly make the issue about our response, not the problem itself. So, let’s get over our discomfort. It won’t go away, but don’t let it dominate our response. Afterall, it’s our own preoccupation with our discomfort that leads to inaction or feeling helpless.

And then know this: you’re not helpless to respond. The people dying are the ones helpless to respond. So do something. For many of us, this will be something small. But small doesn’t mean insignificant or unimportant. Consider simple acts of support. Donate money. Volunteer with local immigrants or organizations supporting refugees. Advocate for projects already in place to sponsor refugees coming to your area. Pray. This weekend I’m leading a group of students to sort produce for the MCC Relief Sale and Auction. But sorting apples, plums, and peppers isn’t about making ourselves feel good. Our small response joins a larger collective effort to support the work that MCC is doing with refugees.

In the face of global tragedy we can’t do everything, but we can do something. You aren’t helpless.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Jesus - Luke 12:48)